— semaphoric /sem'euh fawr"ik, -for"-/ , semaphorical , adj. — semaphorically , adv.
/sem"euh fawr', -fohr'/ , n. , v. , semaphored, semaphoring .
n.
1. an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed.
2. any of various devices for signaling by changing the position of a light, flag, etc.
3. a system of signaling, esp. a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.
v.t. , v.i.
4. to signal by semaphore or by some system of flags.
[ 1810-20; sêma sign + -PHORE ]